WORK is under way on the multi-million pound improvements aimed at making walking and cycling easier in Bromsgrove.
The enhancements were given the go ahead by Worcestershire County Council, thanks to the £3.4million National Productivity Investment Fund allocation announced last year by the Department of Transport.
The first area to be improved is the zebra crossing along Windsor Street – work on that began yesterday.
The crossing will be realigned to enable better access to the crossing for pedestrians, wheelchair and mobility scooter users and people with pushchairs.
Coun Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and infrastructure for Worcestershire County Council, said: “These works around Bromsgrove are an essential part of our walking and cycling improvements across Worcestershire.
“The aim is to create a walking and cycling network that is simple and easy to use, offering an alternative to driving for residents and visitors.
“This in turn, will have a positive impact on congestion and air pollution.”
Further improvements to crossins include Hanover Street and Worcester Road zebra crossings, the Kidderminster Road crossing by Sanders Park, the Market Street crossing near Asda and the toucan crossing on the Birmingham Road near Travis Perkins.
In total, nine routes have been identified using quieter streets to link key destinations such as the railway station to the town centre.
The routes will see pathway and road resurfacing to improve journey comfort, the upgrading of the lighting to LED lamps, clearer comprehensive route signing to include location, distance and time markers, the dropping of kerbs and the introduction of tactile paving at crossing points to improve accessibility.
A large amount of these minor works have already started across the network.
